Dominick Reyes in no rush to rise though 'aging' UFC light heavyweight division

Dominick Reyes in no rush to rise though 'aging' UFC light heavyweight division

DETROIT – Dominick Reyes knows he’s in a thin weight class in the UFC, but has no intentions of rushing toward the title.

Reyes (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) got his second win in the UFC light heavyweight division on Saturday when he scored a first-round submission of Jeremy Kimball (15-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at UFC 218, which took place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The bout streamed on UFC Fight Pass prior to the FS1-televised prelims and pay-per-view main card.

The 205-pound division is relatively barren when it comes to legitimate contenders, and an unbeaten fighter like Reyes makes an interesting addition. He knows he can do big things, but is not gunning for a quick climb to the top.

“I don’t think about it like that,” Reyes said after the fight. “I think I need to take care of business each fight and pick the right fights at each point in my career. I’m still growing. I’m a young fighter still. I’m not asking for a title. I’m waiting for the right time. Whoever they offer me next will be the right fight, so we’ll see.”

At 27 and with only eight fights (seven of which have come by stoppage), Reyes believes his future is bright. He knows what outsiders think of his weight class, and although he largely agrees, he said he wants to do things his way.

“I knew if I would get in the UFC it would be at light heavyweight because there’s not a lot of guys, the division is aging,” Reyes said. “With my skillset and my athleticism I feel like I could rise quickly. Here I am and it’s going exactly how I planned. I’m going to move along at my pace and see where it goes.”

As far as his performance against Kimball went, Reyes said he was pleased with his work. He expected a more striking-heavy affair, but will gladly take the submission.

“I did not think he would shoot,” Reyes said. “I thought he would bang it out with me. I guess he got a little comfortable and started to shoot. I did a few things that I need to work on. I got hit when I shouldn’t have got hit. Overall, I’m happy.”